May 17, 2008
Residents
RESIDENTS YEAR 1
Jason Baesler, MDHometown: Lake Charles, LA
Undergraduate School: McNeese State University
Major: BSN Nursing
Medical School: American University of the Caribbean
Interests/Hobbies: Martial Arts, Reading, Scuba Diving, Spending time with my wife and kids.
Why I chose LSUFP-LCMH: The family atmosphere and opportunity for a great learning experience.
Megha Chandoke, MDHometown: Williamstown, NJ
Undergraduate School: Rutgers University
Major: Life Sciences
Medical School: American University of the Caribbean
Interests/Hobbies: Reading, Running.
Why I chose LSUFP-LCMH: A welcoming environment. Everyone is friendly and genuinely interested in teaching.
Andres Guillermo, MD Hometown: Thibodeaux, LA
Undergraduate School: LSU
Major: Biology
Medical School: American University of the Caribbean
Interests/Hobbies: Tennis, Running, Golf.
Why I chose LSUFP-LCMH: The program seemed like a great fit offering great academic teaching along with quality faculty, residents and staff. After traveling to various locations for medical school, I found a home in Lake Charles.
Ameer Khan, MD Hometown: Lake Charles, LA
Undergraduate School: University of South Alabama
Major: Biomedical Sciences
Medical School: American University of the Caribbean
Interests/Hobbies: Reading about sports, politics and history; Playing Basketball
Why I chose LSUFP-LCMH: This was a place I felt comfortable with as I got to know the faculty, residents and staff. Also, I live in Lake Charles with my family.
Johnny Segura, MD Hometown: Jennings, LA
Undergraduate School: University of Lafayette
Medical School: LSU Health Science Center School of Medicine - Shreveport
Interests/Hobbies: Television, Books, Movies, LSU Football
Why I chose LSUFP-LCMH: I liked the fact that it was an unopposed residency, the atmosphere among the residents and staff as well as it's proximity to home.
Aaron Marquardt, MD Hometown: Fischer, Texas Undergraduate School: Southwest Texas State / Biology Biochemistry Medical School: Saba University School of Medicine Interests/Hobbies:Music (Listening, Collecting, Playing), Travel, Photography, Food, Girl scout cookies (thin mints, samoas), Quiet little towns, Snorkeling in the Caribbean, Driving fast in the middle of nowhere with the top down, Smiling, Laughing, Singing, Dancing… Why I chose LSUFP-LCMH:I knew I wanted to be a resident in this program the evening after my first interview. I remember driving back to Texas with a big smile on my face. Everyone was great. You know, you just get that feeling. Friends were already working here and others were joining later. Did my final med school rotation here and already felt part of the family. It's just gotten better as I've started residency. Always someone around willing to help, to lend a hand with no questions asked, Attendings, residents, interns, all great to work with and call my family. Couldn't ask for more.
Danielle Walz, MD Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Undergraduate School: North Dakota State University
Major: Biology
Medical School: St. George's University
Interests/Hobbies: Traveling, Watching Movies, Shopping, Sports.
Why I chose LSUFP-LCMH: The residents here were very nice and really have a lot of fun. The interview didn't seem like an interview, it seemed like you were talking with friends. It's also pretty close to home.
Slade Smith, MDHometown: Monroe, LA
Undergraduate School: University of Louisina at Monroe
Major: Biology
Medical School: St. George's University
Interests/Hobbies: Deer/Duck Hunting, Fishing, Music, Movies
Why I chose LSUFP-LCMH: I interviewed all over the south and nobody made me feel instantly at home like LSU Lake Charles. Everyone seemed like one big happy family, and they truly enjoyed working together.
RESIDENTS YEAR 2
Jeffrey Combetta, MD Hometown: Independence, LA
Undergraduate School: University of St. Francis
Medical School: American University School of Medicine
Interests/Hobbies: Scuba diving; parasailing; I enjoy spending time with my wife, Rachel and our daughter, Hailey.
Who I chose LSUFP - LCMH: Choosing the correct program can be a challenge; however, after interviewing with many programs I found the decision easy, once I interviewed with LSU-Lake Charles. The people here have always been willing to help in my training. Being a resident is hard enough but when you have a program that stands behind you and contributes daily to your learning it makes being a resident much more enjoyable. I find the atmosphere to be one of a teaching and compassionate one, and I feel confident I will be prepared for the great responsibility of being in private practice.
Pearre Davenport, III. MD Hometown: San Diego, CA
Undergraduate School: George Washington University, Washington D.C.
Medical School: American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
Interests/Hobbies: Scuba diving, hunting
Why I chose LSUFP - LCMH: I did a rotation here during medical school because I had several friends here. I loved this program and the atmosphere among residents and staff. I began my medical career as a nurse assistant at 17 years old. I later was an EMT, and served 5 years as a corpsman in the navy with the marines.
Phillip Ehlers, MD Hometown: Oakdale, LA
Undergraduate School: Louisiana State University
Major: Zoology
Medical School: St. George's University, Grenada
Interests/Hobbies: Running, cars, politics, current events
Why I chose LSUFP-LCMH: It's close to home and I like the city. Most of all, I feel comfortable and welcome.
Brian Harrell, MD Hometown: Lake Charles, LA
Undergraduate School: Louisiana State University
Major: Zoology
Medical School: Texas A&M College of Medicine
Interests/Hobbies: Music, guitar, playing, singing, running, reading, camping, skiing, fishing
Why I chose LSUFP-LCMH: I chose this residency for many reasons….because of the people, faculty, staff, residents and patients. I loved the autonomy that the residents had and I loved active learning that was constantly being pursued by both residents and attendings. When I left Lake Charles over eight years ago, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to return. But while I was in medical school, I began to realize that there was something truly special about the area. It resides in the culture….in the hearts of people we deal with daily. It is a spirit that cannot be fully expressed…it can only be experienced.
Andy Quebedeaux, MD Hometown: Church Point, LA
Undergraduate School: LSU/UNO
Major: Biology
Medical School: LSUHSC - Shreveport
Interests/Hobbies: Running, LSU sports, fishing
Why I chose LSUFP - LCMH: Nice facility; great residents and staff; good learning environment
Leslie Powell, MD Hometown: Silsbee, TX
Undergraduate School: Texas A&M University
Major: Biomedical Science
Medical School: University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio
Interests/Hobbies: Spending time with my husband and baby. I also love cooking, decorating and shopping.
Why I chose LSUFP-LCMH: This program is close to my family. Also, the attendings, residents and staff are great! I loved this program when I visited for my interview. Now that I've begun my intern year, it is even better than I had anticipated. Everyone here works so hard to make sure that we have the best educational experience possible.
Jason Egloff, MD Hometown: Maui, Hawaii
Undergraduate School: Oregon State University
Major: Exercise and Sports Science
Medical School: American University of the Caribbean
Interests/Hobbies: Camping, Hiking, Movies, any and all sports.
Why I chose LSUFP-LCMH: The program has a very warm and welcoming feeling; unopposed program with lots of independence and opportunity for procedures while still having great supervision. Overall, it’s just a wonderful place to live and learn.
RESIDENTS YEAR 3
Jewell J. Huffman, III, MD Hometown: Eupora, Mississippi
Undergraduate School: Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
Major: Industrial Engineering
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
Interests/Hobbies: Cutting horses, hunting, fishing, cruzin' on Harleys, old home restoration, military history of the U.S., and church
Why I chose LSUFP-LCMH: I chose Lake Charles Memorial because of the people. During the interview process, the faculty, staff and administration of the residency program put me at ease, answered all my questions, and made me feel at home.I knew that day that this was going to be my #1 choice. I feel so fortunate that I am going to be a part of this program. Everyone has been so nice to me. I look forward to being in an unopposed program with great people.
Victor Rodrigues, MD Hometown: Union, NJ / Sulphur, LA
Undergraduate School: New York University
Major: Psychology
Medical School: St. George's University
Interests/Hobbies: Sports, sky diving, traveling
Why I chose LSUFP - LCMH: Good food; love the Southern hospitality; love the Southern accent; storm chaser
Alan J. Wilson, MD Hometown: Lake Charles (USA), Skelmersdale (UK)
Undergraduate School: University of Bradford, U.K.
Major: Civil / Structural Engineering
Medical School: American University of the Caribbean
Interests/Hobbies: Scuba diving and my family
Why I chose LSUFP-LCMH: I completed a 6 week elective at Lake Charles with the LSU family and right from day one I felt at home .I had, of course, lived in Lake Charles before I went to medical school and knew that it was a great place to live, safe for my family, and close enough to everything to keep us all busy.
I spent 6 weeks rotating through various aspects of the residency program and felt that I would get a well-rounded education, learn what I needed to know, and at the same time be part of something a bit special. I had deliberately rotated through many residencies to get a feel for what was out there, from big University hospitals in San Francisco to small private hospitals in Southern California.
I had fun at all of the sites I visited, but what stood out for me in Lake Charles was the sense of family and the way the residents were friends and did things together. That is probably one of the greatest assets that the LSU FP program in Lake Charles has, and I am proud to say I am part of that program. Family medicine is for me what medicine is all about.
Sherri D. Stringfellow, MD Hometown: Monroe, LA
Undergraduate School: University of Southwestern Louisiana
Major: Chemistry Pre-med
Medical School: Meharry Medical College
Interests/Hobbies: Poetry writing, cooking, shopping, traveling, and pleasure reading.
Why I chose LSUFP-LCMH: I thought that this was one of the strongest FP programs in the state. I was attracted to this program for several reasons, the first being an unopposed program.Also, I observed a strong sense of self confidence in the current residents, as well as a great support system from faculty and staff. Finally, I was very attracted to the location of LSUFP-LCMH.